'Dismal situation' for tenants thrown out of Garvey Centre

HIGHER RENTS, SMALLER BASES - AND NO HELP FROM CITY COUNCIL

- By LOUIS CORBETT

TENANTS from Lenton Business Centre - known as the Marcus Garvey Centre - have been scrambling to find office space after the city council closed it for fire risk repairs.

Around 100 businesses, charities and community organisations were told they needed to find alternative space when the former Raleigh headquarters closed in February, giving them only 28 days to find new bases.

The businesses say it has had a devastating effect, with some claiming that their mental health and finances have been hit.

The businesses have since been charged for rent for March and April, when they could only enjoy temporary access to their units. The city council has told the tenants that this rent will be refunded.

However, at the time of writing, these businesses claim they have yet to see a refund, which has significantly impacted their finances.

Patrick and Jeegisha Dinnall, owners of Mum's Helping Hands and Your Help Hub, were tenants in the Grade II-listed building for 17 years and say they have been left without any council support. Patrick has spent over £2,500 to move to another office, half the size of the old one with higher rent.

He had to throw away almost £800-worth of equipment he was storing at Lenton Business Centre.

Patrick said: “It’s been a very challenging time.